U.S. patent number 10,148,799 [Application Number 15/351,192] was granted by the patent office on 2018-12-04 for auxiliary optical system for use with mobile electronic device in protective case.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Portero Holdings, LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is Portero Holdings, LLC. Invention is credited to Daniel Arato, Joshua Cantor, Ryan Nguyen, Patrick D. O'Neill, Chong Pak, Jason Patrick.
United States Patent |
10,148,799 |
O'Neill , et al. |
December 4, 2018 |
Auxiliary optical system for use with mobile electronic device in
protective case
Abstract
An auxiliary optical system can be configured to be removably
attachable to a mobile electronic device within a protective case.
The auxiliary optical system can be shaped and sized to fit onto
and/or into a region of a protective case such that the auxiliary
optical device is in optical communication with one or more onboard
cameras on the front and/or rear surface of the mobile electronic
device and such that the auxiliary optical system resists sliding,
tilting, or otherwise moving with respect to the mobile electronic
device and/or the protective case.
Inventors: |
O'Neill; Patrick D. (Huntington
Beach, CA), Pak; Chong (Lakewood, CA), Patrick; Jason
(Long Beach, CA), Cantor; Joshua (Huntington Beach, CA),
Nguyen; Ryan (Fountain Valley, CA), Arato; Daniel (Los
Angeles, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Portero Holdings, LLC |
Lake Forest |
CA |
US |
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Assignee: |
Portero Holdings, LLC (Lake
Forest, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
58691660 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/351,192 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2016 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20170142242 A1 |
May 18, 2017 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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62337822 |
May 17, 2016 |
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62254637 |
Nov 12, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M
1/0264 (20130101); H04M 1/0254 (20130101); H04M
1/185 (20130101); H04B 1/3888 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04B
1/38 (20150101); H04M 1/02 (20060101); H04B
1/3888 (20150101); H04M 1/18 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pham; Tuan
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
No. 62/254,637, filed Nov. 12, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/337,822, filed May 17, 2016, both of which are
hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
Claims
The following is claimed:
1. An auxiliary optical system comprising: a retainer configured to
removably attach to a protective case for a mobile electronic
device; a first optical component attached to the retainer; and a
second optical component attached to the retainer, wherein the
first optical component is attached to a first side of the retainer
and the second optical component is attached to a second side of
the retainer; wherein the retainer comprises at least one
attachment portion that extends from an interior wall of the
retainer, and wherein the attachment portion is configured to be
positioned within an interior of an opening in the protective case
when the retainer is attached to the protective case; the retainer
is reversible between a first position and a second position
relative to the protective case; in the first position, the first
optical component is configured to optically communicate with a
user-facing camera of the mobile electronic device to which the
protective case is connected and the second optical component is
configured to optically communicate with a rear-facing camera of
the mobile electronic device; and in the second position, the first
optical component is configured to optically communicate with the
rear-facing camera of the mobile electronic device and the second
optical component is configured to optically communicate with the
user-facing camera of the mobile electronic device.
2. A combination of the auxiliary optical system of claim 1 and the
protective case.
3. The auxiliary optical system of claim 1 wherein the first
optical component is configured to provides a different optical
feature than the second optical component.
4. The auxiliary optical system of claim 1, wherein the first
optical component is configured to be positioned less than 1 mm
from a lens of at least one of the user-facing camera or the
rear-facing camera of the mobile electronic device.
5. The auxiliary optical system of claim 1, wherein the retainer
comprises an expanding zone configured to permit an interior of the
retainer to temporarily become sufficiently wide to pass over a
portion of the protective case as the retainer is attached to the
protective case.
6. The auxiliary optical system of claim 5, wherein the expanding
zone is configured to cause the interior to of the retainer to
return to a substantially unexpanded state.
7. The auxiliary optical system of claim 1, wherein the attachment
portion is configured to be inserted within a component access
region of the protective case.
8. The auxiliary optical system of claim 7, wherein the component
access region comprises a plurality of sides, each side having a
top edge in an outward facing plane of the case and an internal
edge recessed below the outward facing plane of the case, wherein
each side of the plurality of sides comprises a sidewall.
9. The auxiliary optical system of claim 8, wherein the attachment
portion is configured to contact all or substantially all of an
internal edge of the component access region.
10. The auxiliary optical system of claim 8, wherein the attachment
portion is configured to contact all or substantially all of a
plurality of internal edges of the component access region.
11. The auxiliary optical system of claim 8, wherein the attachment
portion comprises one or more locating structures.
12. A method of manufacturing an auxiliary optical system, the
method comprising: providing a first optical component; providing a
second optical component and providing a retainer configured to
removably attach to a protective case, wherein the first optical
component is attached or attachable to a first side of the retainer
and the second optical component is attached or attachable to a
second side of the retainer, an interior protrusion of the retainer
is configured to be positioned within an interior of an opening in
the protective case when the retainer is attached to the protective
case; the retainer is reversible between a first position and a
second position; in the first position, the first optical component
is configured to optically communicate with a user-facing camera of
a mobile electronic device to which the protective case is attached
and the second optical component is configured to optically
communicate with a rear-facing camera of the mobile electronic
device; and in the second position, the first optical component is
configured to optically communicate with the rear-facing camera and
the second optical component is configured to optically communicate
with the user-facing camera.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing the
protective case.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first optical component is
configured to provide a different optical feature than the second
optical component.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first
optical component or the second optical component is configured to
be positioned less than 1 mm from a lens of the rear-facing camera
or the user-facing camera of the mobile electronic device when the
auxiliary optical system is attached to a protective case that
contains the mobile electronic device.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the retainer comprises an
expanding zone configured to permit an interior of the retainer to
temporarily become sufficiently wide to pass over a portion of the
protective case as the retainer is advanced onto the protective
case.
17. An auxiliary optical system for attachment to a protective case
coupled to a mobile electronic device having a first camera facing
in a first direction and a second camera facing in a second
direction, the auxiliary optical system comprising: a retainer that
removably couples to the protective case, the retainer comprising:
an interior wall; and an attachment portion extending from the
interior wall, wherein when the retainer is coupled to the
protective case the attachment portion is received within an
opening of the protective case to secure the retainer to the
protective case; a first lens assembly connected to a first
sidewall of the retainer; and a second lens assembly connected to a
second sidewall of the retainer; wherein the retainer is
positionable on the protective case in a first position and a
second position; in the first position, the first lens assembly is
in optical communication with the first camera of the mobile
electronic device and the second lens assembly is in optical
communication with the second camera of the mobile electronic
device; and in the second position, the first lens assembly is in
optical communication with the second camera of the mobile
electronic device and the second lens assembly is in optical
communication with the first camera of the mobile electronic
device.
18. The auxiliary optical system of claim 17, wherein the retainer
further comprises an expansion zone that flexes between an expanded
position allowing the retainer to be inserted onto or removed from
the protective case and an unexpanded position allowing the
retainer to engage at least a portion of the protective case to
secure the retainer to the protective case.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS
Field of the Inventions
The inventions relate generally to accessories for communication
devices (e.g., mobile telephones, mobile texting devices,
electronic pad devices, laptop computers, desktop computers, gaming
devices, and/or devices capable of linking electronically to
another device or to a network such as the Internet, etc.), and
specifically to removable functional components for communication
devices.
Description of the Related Art
In recent years, many advances in computer networking and
processing technology have made it possible for mobile devices to
comprise cameras that permit users to capture images. In many
cases, these images can be stored, processed, and transmitted.
However, there are many design constraints on onboard cameras in
mobile devices that can limit the weight, size, expense, shape,
adjustability, flexibility, versatility, feature choices, and
overall quality of the lensing systems of such cameras.
Consequently, many cameras and mobile devices are inadequate for a
wide variety of photographic needs and may produce lower quality
photographic images, fewer image options, incompatibilities in
attachment structures, weight, optics, size, transportation,
storage, ergonomics, and/or portability.
In addition, the mobile nature of such devices makes them
especially vulnerable to damage by inadvertent contact with other
objects during transportation or storage, such as when a mobile
electronic device is dropped on the ground or comes into contact
with water or another potentially damaging substance. Existing
cases for mobile electronic devices can help in some instances to
shield or protect mobile electronic devices from certain types of
damage. However, such cases do not provide sufficient
accommodations for the use of auxiliary performance-enhancing
products with the mobile devices while the cases are installed on
the mobile devices.
SUMMARY
An auxiliary optical system can be configured to be removably
attachable to a mobile electronic device within a protective case.
The auxiliary optical system can be shaped and sized to fit onto
and/or into a region of a protective case such that the auxiliary
optical system is in optical communication with one or more onboard
cameras on the front and/or rear surface of the mobile electronic
device and such that the auxiliary optical system resists sliding,
tilting, or otherwise moving with respect to the mobile electronic
device and/or the protective case.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Certain embodiments of the inventions will now be discussed in
detail with reference to the following figures. These figures are
provided for illustrative purposes only, and the inventions are not
limited to the subject matter illustrated in the figures.
FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E illustrate an example of several views
of an auxiliary lens system with a plurality of lenses used for
different purposes.
FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an example of the auxiliary lens system
of FIGS. 1A-1E positioned for attachment on a mobile electronic
device, and then attached to the mobile electronic device.
FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example of the auxiliary lens system
of FIGS. 1A-1E being removed from the attachment position as shown
in FIG. 2B and rotated about a generally vertical axis so as to
switch the positions of the front and rear lenses when the
auxiliary lens system is reattached.
FIG. 4A illustrates a front plan view of an example of a mobile
electronic device.
FIG. 4B illustrates a front plan view of an example of a mobile
electronic device positioned within a protective case.
FIG. 5A illustrates a rear plan view of the mobile electronic
device of FIG. 4A.
FIG. 5B illustrates a rear plan view of the combination of the
mobile electronic device and protective case of FIG. 4B.
FIG. 6A illustrates a front plan view of the combination of the
mobile electronic device and protective case of FIG. 4B coupled to
an auxiliary optical system.
FIG. 6B illustrates a rear plan view of the combination of the
mobile electronic device and protective case of FIG. 4B coupled to
the auxiliary optical system.
FIG. 7A is a horizontal cross-section of the combination of the
mobile electronic device, protective case, and auxiliary optical
system, along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6B, with a magnified region to
help illustrated components in a small region.
FIG. 7B is a magnified view of the 7B region of FIG. 7A to help
illustrate components in the region.
FIGS. 8A and 8B provide various view of an example of an auxiliary
optical system that is configured to be removably coupled with a
mobile electronic device that is located within and/or attached to
a protective case.
FIG. 9 illustrates various views of another example auxiliary lens
system with multiple lenses that can be used with a mobile
electronic device in a protective case.
FIG. 10 illustrates various views of another example auxiliary lens
system that can be used with a mobile electronic device in a
protective case.
FIG. 11 illustrates various views of an example auxiliary lens
system with locating structures that can be used with a mobile
electronic device in a protective case.
FIG. 12 illustrates various views of another example auxiliary lens
system with locating structures that can be used with a mobile
electronic device in a protective case.
FIG. 13 illustrates various views of another example auxiliary lens
system with locating structures that can be used with a mobile
electronic device in a protective case.
Many other types of communication devices besides those illustrated
and described herein can be used, and many different types of
components or parts can be used in the auxiliary lens systems,
which are encompassed by this specification. The proportions,
orientations, shapes, and relative sizes of components illustrated
in the drawings form part of this disclosure, but should not be
limiting to any claim unless explicitly recited in such claim.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
The following detailed description is now directed to certain
specific examples of embodiments of the disclosure. In this
description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts
are designated with like numerals throughout the description and
the drawings. The inventions are not limited to examples expressly
limited or described in this specification. Various examples of
auxiliary optical systems (also referred to as auxiliary optical
devices, auxiliary lensing systems, or auxiliary lens systems) and
protective cases (also referred to simply as cases) are illustrated
in the drawings and/or described in the text of this specification.
The selected aggregation of particular features in the descriptions
or illustrations is merely for convenience in providing examples in
a context, but is not intended to be limiting. Any structure,
material, function, method, or step illustrated or described in
connection with any embodiment in the specification can be used
instead of or in combination with any other structure, material,
function, method, or step illustrated or described in connection
with any other embodiment in the specification. For example,
without limitation, any embodiment in this specification can
include multiple lenses attachable to a single retainer, as
illustrated in FIGS. 1A-3B, even if not illustrated or described,
and/or any embodiment in this specification can be configured to be
attached to a mobile electronic device in a first orientation,
detached from the communication device, rotated about a generally
vertical axis, and reattached to the communication device in a
second orientation. No feature, structure, step, material, or
component disclosed and/or illustrated in this specification is
essential or indispensable.
The term "lens" in this specification is used in its ordinary
sense, and includes powered lenses (e.g., lenses that focus,
magnify, enlarge, or otherwise alter the direction of light passing
through the lens), plano lenses (e.g., lenses that are generally
planar, lenses that do not taper in thickness, and/or lenses that
are not powered), simple lenses, compound lenses, generally
spherical lenses, generally toroidal lenses, generally cylindrical
lenses, etc. Any imaging device described or illustrated in this
specification can include a retainer attached to one or more lenses
or optical regions with one or more different features, including
but not limited to a constant or variable magnifying lens, a
wide-angle lens, a fish-eye lens, a telescopic lens, a macro lens,
a constant or variable polarizing lens, an anti-reflection lens, a
contrast-enhancing lens, a light-attenuating lens, a colored lens,
or any combination of the foregoing, etc.
The terms "mobile electronic device" and "mobile device" in this
specification are used in their ordinary sense, and include mobile
telephones, mobile texting devices, media players, electronic
tablet devices, laptop computers, gaming devices, wearable
electronic devices (e.g., "smart watches" or "smart eyewear"),
and/or mobile electronic communication devices capable of linking
electronically to another device or to a network such as the
Internet, etc. Some mobile electronic devices include one or more
onboard cameras that can be used for various imaging purposes, such
as photography and videography. In addition, some mobile electronic
devices include one or more illumination components, such as one or
more lights, and/or flashes, etc., that can be used for
photography, videography, and/or other purposes (e.g., as a flash
light).
The terms "protective case" and "case" in this specification are
used in their ordinary sense, and include structures and products
that are removably attachable by users to mobile devices in order
to provide protection to the mobile devices onto which they are
attached, etc. For example, in some embodiments, any of the cases
disclosed herein can provide resistance to damage from impact or
shock and/or from ingress of performance-impairing substances, such
as moisture from water or other liquids. A user may removably
attach a protective case to a mobile device housing to provide
protection to the mobile device in addition to the protection
provided by the housing of the mobile device. The removably
attachable protective case may also provide protection for the
housing itself.
Some auxiliary lensing systems described herein can be removably
attached to protective cases that have been installed on mobile
electronic devices. When attached to protective cases (and/or
directly to the mobile devices), the auxiliary lensing systems can
selectively enhance or otherwise change an image created from light
that is transmitted through an onboard camera lens of the mobile
electronic devices. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,279,544, titled
"Selectively Attachable and Removable Lenses for Mobile Devices,"
which issued on Oct. 2, 2012, the contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference for all that it discloses, describes
various mounting structures and features for removably attachable
auxiliary lensing systems. As another example, U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/743,594, titled "Auxiliary Optical
Components for Mobile Devices," which was filed on Jun. 18, 2015,
the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all
that it discloses, describes additional mounting structures and
features for removably attachable auxiliary lensing systems. In
some embodiments, including those disclosed in the '544 patent and
the '594 application, a removably attachable auxiliary lensing
systems may be secured to a mobile electronic device by a clip that
contacts generally opposing sides of the electronic device. The
lens components may comprise one or more lenses (e.g. one side may
have a fisheye lens, while the generally opposing side may have of
wide-angle, micro, telephoto, or some other photographic lens). In
some embodiments, a removably attachable auxiliary lensing system
may be secured to a mobile electronic device without a clip or
using one or more structures in addition to a clip.
In some embodiments, a removably attachable auxiliary lensing
system provides an auxiliary lens for each of the user- and
outward-facing cameras (e.g., a first auxiliary lens is optically
aligned with a user-facing camera, and a second auxiliary lens is
optically aligned with an outward-facing camera) either
simultaneously or otherwise without requiring the removably
attachable auxiliary lensing system to be removed, rotated, and
re-attached. In some such embodiments, the removably attachable
auxiliary lensing system may optionally be reversed by a user
(e.g., removed, rotated, and re-attached) between a first position
and a second position such that the lens used with the
outward-facing camera can be used with (e.g., optically communicate
with or be in optical alignment with) the user-facing camera and
vice-versa.
Referring to FIGS. 1A-1E, 2A-2B, and 3A-3B (collectively "FIGS.
1A-3B"), an example of a removably attachable auxiliary optical
device 400 is illustrated in many different views. In some
embodiments, as illustrated, an auxiliary optical device 400 can
generally comprise a retainer portion 406 and one or a plurality of
lens portions 402, 404. The retainer portion 406 is generally
configured to be removably attachable to a mobile electronic
communication device such that the one or more optical portions,
such as lens portions 402, 404, can be positioned in a region
generally covering or near an onboard camera lens in the
communication device to enable the one or more lens portions 402,
404 to cooperate optically with the onboard camera, to provide
different optical enhancements, improvements, modifications, and/or
alternatives, such as one or more of the following: magnification,
telephoto, wide angle, fish-eye, polarization, glare reduction,
anti-reflection, light filtering or attenuation at particular
ranges of wavelengths, and/or coloring, etc. As with all features,
structures, steps, materials, or components disclosed and/or
illustrated in this specification, any of the foregoing optical
features or combinations thereof can be included in any device in
this specification. Any of the lenses can be of any suitable shape
or configuration, such as plano, spherical, parabolic, cylindrical,
toroidal, and/or simple or compound, etc. In some embodiments, as
illustrated, the retainer portion 406 is shaped so as to attach to
the communication device in a region and in a manner that permits a
user to see all or virtually all of a viewing portion (not shown)
of the communication device without obstruction or without
appreciable obstruction.
One or more of the lens portions 402, 404 can be removably attached
to the retainer portion 406 with a securing structure, such as a
screw thread, a bayonet mount, a friction fit, a snap fit, a clip,
and/or a clasp, etc. One or more of the lens portions 402, 404 can
be interchangeable or replaceable with one or more other lens
portions with one or more different optical features, such as any
of the optical features described elsewhere in this
specification.
In some embodiments, the retainer portion 406 can comprise a
channel 416 with a plurality of sidewalls or side retaining
structures 407, 409. In some embodiments, the retainer portion 406
comprises only a single sidewall or side retaining structure, or no
sidewall or side retaining structure. The width of the channel 416,
e.g., the distance between the respective sidewalls or side
retaining portions 407, 409, can be configured to be generally
complimentary to the thickness of a portion of the communication
device(s) 134 on which the retainer portion 406 is configured to
attach. In some embodiments, the natural width of the channel 416
(e.g., before attachment to a communication device) is
approximately the same size or slightly smaller than the thickness
of a corner, such as an upper corner, of the outside housing of a
communication device near the light aperture of the onboard camera
of the communication device. In some embodiments, the natural width
of the channel 416 is approximately the same size or slightly
smaller than the thickness of another portion of the outside
housing, such as an upper central region, or another location.
In some embodiments, as illustrated, one or more of the plurality
of walls 407, 409 can have a curvilinear shape along one or more
edges to permit the retainer portion 406 to provide increased
distance of contact along the edge of the communication device
while diminishing the area across a transverse surface of the
device that is obstructed by the retainer portion 406. For example,
in some embodiments, as illustrated, the curvilinear shape along
one or more edges of the walls 407, 409 permits the retainer
portion 406 to extend along and attach to at least a portion of two
generally converging or generally perpendicular outer edges or
sides of a communication device that is approximately as wide as
either of the lens portions 402, 404, while diminishing the amount
of space on the front of the electronic communication device that
is blocked. In the example shown in FIGS. 1A-3B, the curvilinear
shape of the edge of the walls 407, 409 can comprise a rounded
corner, and avoid or omit a lower pointed or sharp corner that may
otherwise extend into and obstruct the viewing portion of the
communication device. In some embodiments, the auxiliary optical
device 400 does not appreciably block or obstruct the viewing
surface of the mobile electronic communication device when
attached.
All or part of the retainer portion 406, such as one or more of the
plurality of walls 407, 409, can be made of a material (e.g., a
polymer or a silicone) that is sufficiently flexible to permit some
degree of deformation (e.g., compression, bending, or stretching)
of one or more walls 407, 409, so that the channel 416 can be
temporarily widened while sliding the auxiliary optical device 400
onto a communication device 134, but at least a portion of one or
more of the walls 407, 409 can be sufficiently stiff, rigid, or
resilient to urge one or more of the plurality of walls 407, 409 to
return to its original position and thereby exert a gripping force
against a portion of the communication device, thereby providing a
friction fit between the retainer portion 406 and the communication
device 134. In some embodiments, a portion (or all) of the material
of the retainer portion 406, especially the region on the inner
side of the walls 407, 409 within the channel 416, can also be
tacky or somewhat slide resistant to enhance the gripping of the
retainer portion 406 to the communication device 134. In some
embodiments, the gripping force and/or slide resistance can reduce
or eliminate the need to attach a permanent or temporary mounting
component to the communication device. For example, the lens
component 400 can be repeatedly attached to and removed from a
communication device 134 without requiring (though not prohibiting)
installation on the communication device of a separate permanently
or semi-permanently attached mounting component such as a bracket,
magnet, adhesive, or other fastening component, thereby providing
ease of installation while preserving the original overall shape,
appearance, functionality, compatibility (e.g., with other
communication devices or cases), and/or feel of the communication
device when the lens component is removed.
As with any features, structures, steps, materials, or components
disclosed and/or illustrated in this specification, any auxiliary
optical device in this specification can be utilized with any type
of mobile electronic communication device, including any of those
illustrated and/or described in this specification. The mobile
electronic communication device 134, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A,
2B, 3A, and 3B, includes at least one onboard camera 132 with a
lens that is positioned in a flush or virtually flush relationship
with the face of the mobile electronic communication device 134 in
which it is embedded, and an onboard flash 136. In some
embodiments, the onboard camera 132 or one or more components of
the onboard camera 132, such as a lens and/or a protective metal
ring can protrude or extend above or beyond the face of the mobile
electronic communication 134.
In some embodiments, the retainer portion 406 can comprise an upper
wall 420 that can be shaped in some embodiments to generally
correspond to the shape of one or more edges (e.g., side and/or top
edges) of a communication device 134. As illustrated, the upper
wall 420 has a generally curvilinear shape with a rounded corner
122. The retainer portion 406 can also include one or more internal
surface features (e.g., recesses, protrusions, and/or contours,
etc.) that are configured to generally avoid interference with one
or more external features on a communication device 134. For
example, as illustrated, a channel 424 can include a groove to
avoid interference or inadvertent contact with a button or other
feature on a communication device when the auxiliary optical device
400 is attached to the communication device 134. As illustrated in
FIG. 1C, the sidewalls 407, 409 of the retainer 406 can comprise
one or more generally pointed or angular regions 129.
In some embodiments, as illustrated, the retainer portion 406 can
be configured to grip at least two nonparallel sides of a
communication device 134. For example, the retainer portion 406 can
contact at least a first generally vertical side or edge surface
133 of a communication device and at least a second generally
horizontal and generally orthogonal side or edge surface 138 of a
mobile electronic device 134 (e.g., the lateral side and the top
side of the mobile electronic device) at the same time during use.
In some embodiments, this contact by multiple generally
perpendicular edges or surfaces permits repeatable adequately
precise placement of the retainer portion 406. In some embodiments,
only one edge is contacted or no edges are contacted. In some
embodiments, the retainer portion, in any of a variety of
configurations, can be attached to a mobile electronic
communication device in a single attachment motion, without
requiring user adjustment of the location or structure of the
retainer portion and/or optical portion during attachment.
In some embodiments, two or more contacting surfaces in the
retainer portion 406 can converge at an upper corner having a
rounded external surface. In some embodiments, as illustrated, the
retainer portion 406 is substantially smaller than the
communication device to which it is configured to attach, or even
substantially smaller than the viewing portion of the communication
device to which it is configured to attach. In some embodiments, a
retainer portion can be configured to contact only one side or edge
(e.g., the generally vertical or the generally horizontal side or
edge), such as by contacting both the front and rear surface of
such side of edge but without also requiring contact with another
side or edge. An example of such an embodiment can generally be
formed from a retainer portion with a general U-shape comprising an
upper wall, two side walls, and an opening on each side of the side
walls. In some embodiments, a retainer portion can be configured to
contact only one surface of the mobile electronic communication
device, such as the surface of the mobile electronic communication
device on which the onboard camera is located.
In some embodiments, the retainer portion 406 can permit the
auxiliary optical device 400 to be removably attached to a
communication device without requiring non-stock mounts on the
communication device and without requiring dynamic mounts on the
retainer portion 112 itself (e.g. fasteners, screws, adjustable
clamps, etc.). For example, in some embodiments, a user can attach
the auxiliary optical device 400 to a corner or some other location
on a communication device by simply sliding it, for example, onto
the corner or other location of the communication device, and can
remove it by simply pulling it off, without requiring user
adjustment during attachment. In some embodiments, as illustrated,
the auxiliary optical device 400 can remain on the communication
device 134 by way of a friction fit. The attachment to the
communication device can avoid a residue deposit from adhesive,
scratches to the exterior surface, or other damage or alteration of
the communication device. In some embodiments, the retainer portion
can be sufficiently wide and/or long so that it is adapted to
receive an end and/or side region (e.g., two or more corners) of a
communication device rather than merely one corner, and the other
aspects of other embodiments disclosed herein can apply to such
embodiments, including but not limited to the shape and materials
of construction and the accomplishment of a friction fit between
the retainer portion and the end and/or side region of a
communication device. In some embodiments, the retainer portion can
utilize dynamic mounts and/or any other means for attachment to a
mobile electronic communication device. No means of attachment
between an auxiliary lens system and a mobile electronic
communication device should be deemed to be essential or
indispensable to, or excluded by, this specification or any
products herein.
The one or more lens portions 402, 404 generally comprises a
transparent optical portion or lens 411, which is typically made of
a glass or a polymer, and a securing structure 413. The term "lens"
and similar terms should be understood in accordance with the
customary meaning in this field, and includes at least any optical
portion that permits light to pass through and provides some
optical characteristic or protection, such as changing light
direction, filtering light, and/or modifying one or more qualities
of light that passes through the optical portion, etc. The securing
structure 413 can be made of many different types of materials or
combinations of materials, such as one or more metals (e.g.,
aluminum or steel) or one or more plastics. The securing structure
413 can include a generally wide-area opening for receiving the
optical portion or lens 411 and a generally narrow-area region for
attachment to the retainer portion 406. In some embodiments, the
securing structure 413 and the retainer portion 406 can be
configured to slide or otherwise move with respect to each other in
a limited manner to allow for adjustment of the position of the
optical portion or lens 402, 404 with respect to the onboard camera
lens of a communication device (e.g., for the purpose of addressing
manufacturing tolerances in the location of the onboard camera
lenses in some communication devices). As illustrated, the
mechanism or structure for attachment or securement of the optical
portion or lens portion 411 to the retainer portion 406 can be
separate from and/or can operate independently of the mechanism or
structure for attachment or securement of the retainer portion 406
to the communication device. In some embodiments, as illustrated,
the outside surface of the securing structure 413 can taper
inwardly from the lens-receiving region to the retainer-attaching
region to diminish the amount of material used in manufacturing and
to diminish the size and weight of the auxiliary optical device
400. In some embodiments, the auxiliary optical device 400 can be
very small, such as less than or equal to about 21/2 inches or less
than or equal to about 11/2 inches across.
In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1E, the channel 416
includes an attachment-facilitating surface 418. In the illustrated
examples, the attachment-facilitating surface 418 comprises an
inwardly curved (e.g., sloped or slanted) surface positioned along
the outer edge or slotted opening of the channel 416. In some
embodiments, the attachment-facilitating surface 418 can be
positioned at or near an outer edge of the channel 416. As
illustrated, the attachment-facilitating surface can be thinner
near the edge and can gradually become thicker as it progresses
further into the channel 416.
As the lens component 400 is moved into an attachment position on a
communication device, the attachment-facilitating surface 418 can
provide an initial contact region or opening near the outer edge
that is effectively wider to facilitate proper orientation and
attachment of the device by a user, and a narrower second region
further within the channel 416 (or further from the edge of the
lens component 400), thereby providing a more secure attachment
surface as the auxiliary optical device 400 is moved further onto
the attachment region of the communication device 134. In some
embodiments, as illustrated, the width of the channel 416 can
change between the initial contact region and the second region in
a smooth, gradual, and/or curvilinear manner. Some embodiments can
include many other types of shapes. For example, the
attachment-facilitating surface 418 can include a discontinuous
surface or a series of discrete ramps, protrusions, or grooves. As
with any other features, structures, steps, methods, or components
illustrated and/or described in this specification, the
attachment-facilitating surface 418 can be included on any
embodiment of an auxiliary optical device.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 3B, the user can select which of the
plurality of lenses 402, 404 to position in front of the camera 132
of the communication device 134 to achieve a desired photographic
affect. In FIG. 2B, the lens component 400 is moved into an
attachment position on a communication device 134 such that a first
(e.g., smaller-diameter) lens 402 is positioned in front of the
onboard camera lens 132 and a second (e.g., larger-diameter) lens
404 is positioned on an opposite side of the communication device
134. In this orientation, the smaller-diameter lens 402 is
operative and the larger-diameter lens 404 is not operative. In
FIGS. 3A-3B, the lens component 400 is removed from the
communication device, rotated about a vertical axis (e.g.,
approximately 180.degree. in this example), and rotated about a
horizontal axis to orient the channel 416 in general alignment with
an attachment surface (e.g., a housing edge) of the communication
device. The auxiliary optical device 400 can again be advanced onto
the communication device 134 such that the second optical component
(e.g., the larger-diameter lens 404) is positioned in front of the
onboard camera lens 132 and the first optical component (e.g., the
smaller-diameter lens 402) is positioned on an opposite side of the
communication device 134. In this orientation, the larger-diameter
lens 404 is operative and the smaller-diameter lens 402 is not
operative. In some embodiments, this configuration of a lens
component 400 can conveniently permit multiple lens options without
necessarily requiring the user to hold or store multiple discreet
lens components. In some embodiments, more than two lens types or
features can be included in the lens component 400, thereby
providing the user with many lens options.
In the illustrated examples, though not in every embodiment, the
first and second optical components 402, 404 are not in optical
communication with each other, and only one of the optical
components 402, 404 is in optical communication with a particular
onboard camera 132 at the same time. The particular optical
component 402 or 404 that is in optical communication with the
onboard camera 132 is configured to receive light that is impinging
upon the surface of the mobile electronic device in which the
onboard camera 132 that in optical communication with the optical
component 402 or 404 is located.
Any of the foregoing features, steps, structures, methods, or
components, and/or anything else disclosed and/or illustrated in
the '544 patent, can be used with or instead of any features,
steps, structures, methods, or components disclosed and/or
illustrated elsewhere in this specification. For example, any
retainer portion disclosed below in this specification can be
configured to attach to any optical component or lens described
and/or illustrated above, and/or any feature of any retainer
portion disclosed below in this specification can be combined with
any retainer portion 400 (or any feature thereof) that is described
and/or illustrated above, and/or any method of attaching a retainer
portion to a mobile electronic communication device (or any step
thereof) described and/or illustrated above can be used in any of
the embodiments described and/or illustrated below, etc. Any other
combinations of features can be used.
As illustrated in FIG. 4A, a mobile electronic device 134 can
comprise, on a front side or face, a user-viewable touch-input
screen 501, one or more user inputs 503, a speaker 505, and/or a
first or front onboard camera 507. As shown in FIG. 4B, the mobile
electronic device 134 can be coupled to and/or positioned within a
protective case 509. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the mobile
electronic device 134 can comprise, on a rear side or face, a
second or rear onboard camera 511, a microphone 513, and/or a flash
or other illumination device 515. The rear side or face may be
substantially planar and substantially parallel to the
substantially planar front side or face.
The protective case 509 can provide an increased level of
durability or protection for the mobile electronic device 134
against damage as compared to the durability and protection of the
mobile electronic device 134 without a protective case. In some
embodiments, the protective case 509 can comprise multiple
components with different purposes. For example, a first component
of the protective case 509 can be generally or substantially rigid
or stiff to provide structural strength to protect against dropping
against the ground or other blunt force exerted against the mobile
electronic device 134, and a second component of the protective
case 509 can be generally flexible, resilient, compressive, or
stretchy to provide a force-absorbing or force-spreading
capability.
In some embodiments, when the first and second components are used
together, a protective case 509 can provide a high level of
protection against most common causes of damage to a mobile
electronic device 134. In some embodiments, the first component can
be positioned in a close or adjacent relationship with the mobile
electronic device 134, generally surrounding one or more or all
regions of the mobile electronic device 134, and the second
component can be positioned in a close or adjacent relationship
with the first component and/or the mobile electronic device 134,
generally surrounding one or more or all regions of the first
component and/or the mobile electronic device 134. In some
embodiments, the first component can be made of a rigid polymer
such as a plastic such as polycarbonate, and the second component
can be made of a cross-linked polymer such as silicone.
As illustrated, some embodiments of the protective case 509 can
include a raised region or band 517 that is configured to extend
around a periphery of the mobile electronic device 134 when the
protective case 509 is removably attached to the mobile electronic
device 134, such as around one or more (or all) of the top edge,
lateral edges, and/or bottom edge of the protective case 509 and/or
of the mobile electronic device 134. The raised region or band 517
can be configured to extend further in the outward direction from
either or both of the front and rear surfaces of the mobile
electronic device 134 and/or from either or both of the front
surface and rear surface 519 of the protective case 509. The raised
region or band 517 can provide a higher level of shock protection
along the edges and/or corners of the protective case 509 than in
one or more other regions of the protective case 509. In some
embodiments, the protective case 509 can provide protection for the
mobile electronic device 134 against ingress of one or more
damaging or performance-inhibiting substances, such as liquid
(water), dust, debris, or other undesirable substances.
The rear surface 519 of the protective case 509 can include a
communication opening 521 or a transparent portion that is
configured to permit light and/or sound to pass into and/or out
from the mobile electronic device 134. The communication opening
521 has a width and a height that generally corresponds to the
width and height of the second or rear onboard camera 511 or the
width and height of the microphone 513 or the width and height of
the flash or other illumination source 515. The thickness or depth
of the communication opening 521 is generally the same as the
thickness or depth of the rear surface 519 of the protective case
509 in the region adjacent to or near the communication opening
521.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, an auxiliary optical system 600
can be removably attached to the mobile electronic device 134 and
protective case 509 such that one or more optical regions, such as
lenses 603a or 603b, can be positioned in optical communication
with one or more onboard cameras 507, 511 on the mobile electronic
device 134. The auxiliary optical system 600 can include a support
or a housing 601. As with all embodiments in this specification,
the auxiliary optical system 600 can include any feature,
structure, step, material, or component that is illustrated and/or
described in any embodiment of any auxiliary optical device or
system in this specification.
Although FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an auxiliary optical system 600
that attaches or contacts both a front and rear surface of a mobile
electronic device 134 and/or protective case 509, an auxiliary
optical system 600 can be provided with a retainer than attaches in
any other suitable way, such as an attachment to the top edge of
the protective case 509 and a single front or rear surface of the
protective case 509 and/or the mobile electronic device 134.
FIGS. 7A and 7B provide an example of an arrangement of optical
regions or lenses in an auxiliary optical system 600 that is
configured to be removably attachable to a protective case 509. For
example, the embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B permits an interior
optical region or lens to be positioned within an optical channel
615 in a very close or adjacent or contacting relationship with a
lens on an onboard camera 511 of a mobile electronic device 134,
despite the fact that the auxiliary optical system 600 is attached
to the mobile electronic device 134 on the outside of the
protective case 509.
As shown in FIG. 7B, when the auxiliary optical system 600 is
removably coupled to the protective case 509 and/or the mobile
electronic device 134, an attachment portion, such as an interiorly
protruding portion 607 of the support or housing 601 of the
auxiliary optical system 600, can be configured to extend within
the communication opening 521 of the protective case 509, such that
the most inwardly protruding point 609 of the interiorly protruding
portion 607 is within the interior of the communication opening 521
and inwardly below the rear surface 519 of the protective case 509
that is generally surrounding the communication opening 521.
The interiorly protruding portion 607 of the support or housing 601
of the auxiliary optical system 600 can support or retain or
contain an inward lens 605 in a manner that positions the inward
lens 605 sufficiently close to an onboard camera 507, 511 of the
mobile electronic device 509 (when attached) to provide any desired
optical capability or feature, such as a magnification by way of a
"macro lens." In some embodiments, the distance between the onboard
lens 511 of the mobile electronic device 509 and the inward lens
605 is less than or equal to about 2 mm or less than or equal to
about 1 mm or less than or equal to about 0.5 mm.
As shown in FIG. 7B, a channel or seat 611 can be provided in a
portion of the optical channel 615 that is within the interiorly
protruding portion 607. The channel or seat 611 can be configured
or adapted to receive the inward lens 605, without requiring any
additional radially outward or circumferential seating or encasing
member to receive the inward lens 605. A bushing 613 can be
positioned within the optical channel 615 of the support or housing
601 that is configured to receive an outward or second lens
assembly 617. In some embodiments, the bushing 613 is made of a
metal such as aluminum and/or can include a retaining surface on
the radially inward wall of the bushing 613 that includes a
retaining structure such as screw threads and/or can include a
retaining surface on the radially outward wall of the bushing 613
configured to interface with the interior of the optical channel
615, such as a radially outwardly protruding band or other
protrusion or series of protrusions. The interior of the optical
channel 615 can include a corresponding radially inward retaining
surface, such as a recess or series of recesses configured to
receive the radially outwardly protruding band or other protrusion
or series of protrusions. The retaining surfaces of the bushing 613
and the wall of the optical channel 615 can be provided in any
other suitable form, such as one or more protrusions on the wall of
the optical channel 615 and one or more recesses on the exterior
surface of the bushing 613. The bushing 613 can help to secure the
inward lens 605 within the optical channel 615, such as with a
press fit or friction fit.
The outward or second lens assembly 617 can comprise an outward
lens 619 and a lens casing 621 that generally surrounds the outward
lens 619, and an attachment region, such as an attachment base or
shaft 623. A selective attachment region, such as a threaded
region, can be provided on the attachment base or shaft 623, such
as on a radially outward surface of the attachment shaft 623, to
help affix the inner surface of the bushing 613 to the outer
surface of the attachment shaft 623. At least a portion of the
outward or second lens assembly 617 can extend outside of the
optical channel 615 and/or outside of the support or housing
601.
FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate another embodiment of an auxiliary
optical system 700. As with all embodiments in this specification,
any feature, structure, step, material, or component that is
illustrated and/or described in any embodiment in this
specification can be used with or instead of any feature,
structure, step, material, or component of auxiliary optical system
700. For example, all of the features, structures, steps,
materials, or components, either individually or collectively, of
the auxiliary optical system 600 of FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B can be
used with or instead of those of auxiliary optical system 700.
The auxiliary optical system 700 can include one or at least two
optical zones or lens assemblies 703, 705 and a housing, support,
or retainer 707 that is configured to attach the auxiliary optical
system 700 to a mobile electronic device 134. The housing, support,
or retainer 707 may include multiple sidewalls (e.g., a first and
second sidewall) with an interior 711 (e.g., a channel or grove)
between the two sidewalls. The one or more lens assemblies 703, 705
can be attached to, supported by, or partially or fully contained
within, the housing, support, or retainer 707. One or more
expanding zones 709 can be provided to help the retainer 707 to
temporarily expand during attachment to the protective case 509
and/or to the mobile electronic device 134. For example, an
expanding zone 709 may be located at a corner, connection point, or
transition between a sidewall of the retainer 700 and an upper wall
that extends between two sidewalls. In some embodiments, as shown,
the one or more expanding zones 709 can be configured to permit an
interior 711 of the retainer 707 to temporarily become sufficiently
wide to pass over the raised region or band 517 of the protective
case 509 as the retainer 707 is pushed onto the protective case 509
and/or mobile electronic device 134. In some embodiments, the
expanding zones may be sufficiently resilient to cause the interior
711 of the retainer to return to a substantially unexpanded state.
In the sufficiently unexpanded state, the retainer 707 may be
secured to the protective case.
The auxiliary optical system 700 can include one or more attachment
portions, such as interior protrusions 713, that are configured to
be positioned within a communication opening 521 on a protective
case 509. The interior protrusions 713 or other attachment portions
may extend from a sidewall of the retainer 700 into an interior 711
and towards a second sidewall of the retainer 700. In some
embodiments, as shown, one or more of the interior protrusions 713
or other attachment portions can be sized and shaped to register
with or contact or match one or more or all sidewalls of the
communication opening 521 of the protective case 509. The interior
protrusion 713 can include one or more or all of the features,
structures, and components of the inwardly protruding portion 607
of FIG. 7B, including the inward lens 605.
The auxiliary optical system 700 can include one or more outward or
second lens assemblies 617 in the form of optical zones or lens
assemblies 703, 705, with any or all of the features, structures,
or components of the outward or second lens assemblies 617 as
illustrated and/or described in connection with FIGS. 7A and 7B. In
some embodiments, as shown, the auxiliary optical system 700 can
include at least two outward or second lens assemblies 617.
As illustrated, in some embodiments, the auxiliary optical system
700 can include a release region 715 to facilitate removal of the
auxiliary optical system 700 from the protective case 509 after
use. For example, the release region 715 can be provided in the
form of an outwardly flared region or a ledge or a shoulder against
which a user can push with a thumb or finger to more easily apply a
force to remove the auxiliary optical system 700 from the
protective case 509. When a protective case 509 includes a flexible
or resilient or compressive component, the coefficient of friction
against the retainer 707 can be particularly high, which makes the
release region 715 particularly useful. As shown, the release
region 715 can be provided along a bottom edge of the retainer 707,
or in any other useful location.
In some embodiments, as shown, one or a plurality of engagement
structures, such as protrusions 717, can be provided to improve the
accuracy, security, and/or resistance to movement of the attachment
between the retainer 707 of the auxiliary optical system 700 and
the protective case 509. For example, in some embodiments, one or
more protrusions 717 can extend into the interior 711 of the
retainer 707 such that when the retainer is moved into engagement
with the protective case 509, such as along an upper edge of the
protective case 509, the one or more protrusions 717 are configured
to be received into a corresponding groove or recess or hole in the
protective case 509.
FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of a protective case 900 and
an auxiliary lens system 910 for a mobile electronic device. As
with all embodiments in this specification, any feature, structure,
step, material, or component that is illustrated and/or described
in any embodiment in this specification can be used with or instead
of any feature, structure, step, material, or component of
protective case 900 or auxiliary optical system 910. For example,
all of the features, structures, steps, materials, or components,
either individually or collectively, of the auxiliary optical
system 600 or 700 shown in FIG. 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 8A, or 8B can be
used with or instead of those of auxiliary optical system 910. As
another example, all of the features, structures, steps, materials,
or components, either individually or collectively, of the
protective case 509 shown in FIGS. 4B, 5B, 6A, and 6B can be used
with or instead of those of protective case 900.
In example shown in FIG. 9, the protective case 900 is configured
with a component access region 902 that can include any structure,
material, function, method, or step that is illustrated or
described in connection with any embodiment of any other of the
component access regions described in this specification. When the
case 900 is installed on or otherwise attached to a mobile device,
the component access region 902 can be aligned with and provide
access to an onboard camera 102 of the mobile device. For example,
an auxiliary lens system 910 may be attached to the case 900 and
communicate optically with the onboard camera 102 via the component
access region 902.
In some embodiments, as shown, the auxiliary lens system 910 may
include a retainer portion 912, such as a clip or some other
structure that secures the auxiliary lens system 910 to the case
900. One or more optical elements, such as lenses 914, may be
coupled to the retainer portion 912. Examples of other retainer
portions and optical elements coupled thereto are described
elsewhere in the present disclosure, and in the '544 patent and the
'594 application. Any structure, material, function, method, or
step that is illustrated or described in connection with any
retainer portions or optical elements in these appendices can be
used instead of or in addition to any structure, material,
function, method, or step that is illustrated or described in this
specification.
The auxiliary lens system 910 may include an optical positioning
structure 916. The optical positioning structure 916 may protrude
from an interior face of a sidewall of the retainer portion 912 and
towards an onboard camera 102 of a mobile device when the auxiliary
lens system 910 is installed on a case 900. The protruding nature
of the optical positioning structure can aid in ensuring that a
proper distance is achieved and maintained between a lens 914 and
the onboard camera 102. For example, although a substantial portion
of a lens 914 may extend outward from an exterior face of a
sidewall of the retainer portion 912, at least a portion of the
lens 914 may extend through an aperture in the sidewall of the
retainer portion 912 and into the optical positioning structure
916. When the optical positioning structure 916 is placed in close
proximity to the onboard camera 102 of the mobile device, the lens
914 is also positioned in close proximity to the onboard camera
102. In some embodiments, a distance 918 that the optical
positioning structure 916 protrudes from an interior face of a
sidewall of the retainer portion 912 may correspond to a thickness
920 of the case 900 at the component access region 902. While such
a thickness 920 helps prevent objects from getting close to or
contacting the onboard camera 102, the corresponding protrusion
distance 918 of the optical positioning structure 916 allows a lens
914 to be reliably positioned within the component access region
902 at a desired distance from the onboard camera 102, even when
the desired distance is less than the thickness 920 of the case in
the area surrounding the onboard camera 102.
In some embodiments (not illustrated), the optical positioning
structure 916 and the component access region 902 can have any type
of corresponding or complementary shapes to permit a secure
attachment that resists movement when attached. For example, in
some embodiments, the optical positioning structure 916 can be a
recess or can comprise a recess (such as a recess in the retainer
portion 912), and the component access region 902 can comprise a
corresponding or complementary protrusion (such as a raised rim or
other structure surrounding or generally surrounding the periphery
of the component access region 902) that can fit within or
otherwise couple with or attach to the recess of the optical
positioning structure 916. In some embodiments, the optical
positioning structure 916 and the component access region 902 can
each comprise one or a plurality of protrusions and/or recesses
that are configured to removably mate or couple or attach to each
other. In some embodiments, the corresponding or complementary
shapes of the optical positioning structure 916 and the component
access region 902 can be keyed to each other.
In some embodiments, the optical positioning structure 916 can help
align an optical axis of a lens 914 with an optical axis of an
onboard camera 102 in a secure manner that resists sliding or
turning or otherwise moving. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the
optical positioning structure 916 can contact an edge of the
component access region 902 of the case 900 at one or more points
or regions. Contacting an edge of the component access region 902
(whether protruding or recessed or both) can restrict or resist
lateral and/or longitudinal movement of the lens 914 (e.g.,
side-to-side, up-and-down) or the auxiliary lens system 910 as a
whole, thereby helping to maintain a desired alignment of the lens
914 with respect to the onboard camera 102. As shown, the optical
alignment structure 916 may be shaped, sized, or otherwise
configured to contact an edge of the component access region 902 at
one point, multiple points, or continuously along a portion or the
entire edge surface of the component access region 902, such that
the periphery of the optical alignment structure 916 generally
matches the periphery of the component access region 902.
FIG. 10 shows another example of an auxiliary lens system 1000
configured to be removably attachable by a user to a case 900. As
with all embodiments in this specification, any feature, structure,
step, material, or component that is illustrated and/or described
in any embodiment in this specification can be used with or instead
of any feature, structure, step, material, or component of
auxiliary lens system 1000. For example, all of the features,
structures, steps, materials, or components, either individually or
collectively, of the auxiliary optical systems 600, 700, or 900
shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, and 9 can be used with or
instead of those of auxiliary optical system 1000.
The auxiliary lens system 1000 shown in FIG. 10 may include an
attachment portion 1002 and an optical element, such as a lens
1004. In some embodiments, as shown, the attachment portion 1002
may be sized and/or shaped to be complementary to or to match a
size and/or shape of the component access region 902 of the case
900. In some embodiments, the component access region 902 may be an
opening, aperture, or void in an outward facing plane of the case
900. The component access region 902 may comprise a plurality of
sides, each side having a top edge in the outward facing plane of
the case 900 and an internal edge interior to, or recessed below,
the outward facing plane of the case and comprising the sidewall or
sidewalls of the opening, aperture, or void into the case 900. The
attachment portion 1002 may be inserted entirely or at least
partially into or within the component access region 902 and
contact all or substantially all of the internal edge of the
component access region 902. For example, the attachment portion
1002 may be secured to the component access region 902 by an
interference fit, friction fit, snap fit, or otherwise interfacing
with the component access region 902. By contacting all or
substantially all of the inner edge of the component access region
902, the attachment portion 1002 may ensure proper alignment of the
lens 1004 with an onboard camera of the mobile device onto which
the case 900 is installed. The attachment portion 1002 may also act
as an optical alignment structure as described above.
In some embodiments, as shown, an auxiliary lens system 1010 may
include a retainer portion 1016 in addition to an attachment
portion 1012 and an optical element, such as a lens 1014. As shown,
the retainer portion 1016 may be an arm that initially extends from
the attachment portion 1012 in a lateral or longitudinal direction
with respect to the attachment portion 1012 and case 900, rather
than away from a front or rear face of the attachment portion 1012.
The retainer portion 1016 may be configured to hook onto or over
one or more edges of the case 900 to aid the attachment portion
1002 in securing the auxiliary lens system 1010 to the case 900.
For example, a mobile device 100 may have two substantially
parallel, substantially planar faces: a "front" face seen by user
during normal use (typically including a display screen that the
user accesses and views), and a "rear" face that faces away from
the user during normal use. An onboard camera 102 may be positioned
on the rear face of the mobile device 100. The component access
region 902 of the case 900 may be aligned with the onboard camera
102 on the rear face when the case 900 is installed on the mobile
device 100. The retainer portion 1016 may include connection
structure 1018, such as a tab, that contacts a portion of the case
900 on a side or face of the mobile device 100 (e.g., the "front"
face) opposite the side or face (e.g., the "rear face") of the
mobile device 100 with which the component access region 902 is
aligned. The connection structure 1018 may snap onto or provide a
friction fit with the edge of the case 900.
In some embodiments, as illustrated, the auxiliary lens system 1000
can register with or be removably secured to a case 900 by way of
multiple contacts (e.g., at least two or three or more contacts) in
different planes and/or in different regions of the case 900, such
as any or all of the following: (a) one or more contacts between
the attachment portion 1002 and the component access region 902 on
a first face (e.g., a front face) of the case 900; (b) one or more
contacts between the retainer portion 1016 and an edge (e.g., top
or side) of the case 900; and/or (c) one or more contacts between
the retainer portion 1016 and a second face (e.g., a rear face) of
the case 900, etc.
FIG. 11 illustrates additional examples of auxiliary lens systems
1010a, 1010b, and 1010c that can be used with a mobile electronic
device in a protective case 900. As with all embodiments in this
specification, any feature, structure, step, material, or component
that is illustrated and/or described in any embodiment in this
specification can be used with or instead of any feature,
structure, step, material, or component of auxiliary lens systems
1010a, 1010b, and 1010c. For example, all of the features,
structures, steps, materials, or components, either individually or
collectively, of the auxiliary optical systems 600, 700, 900, or
1000 shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9 and 10 can be used
with or instead of those of auxiliary optical systems 1010a, 1010b,
and 1010c.
As illustrated in FIG. 11, in some embodiments, an auxiliary lens
system 1010a, 1010b, or 1010c can comprise a respective attachment
portion 1012a, 1012b, or 1012c with one or a plurality of
respective locating structures 1013 that can assist in positioning
and securing the respective attachment portion 1012a, 1012b, 1012c
to the component access region 902 of the case 900, In some
embodiments, one of more of the locating structures 1013 are
configured to extend into and contact one or more edges of the
component access region 902 of the case 900. In some embodiments,
as shown, the auxiliary lens system 1010c can comprise a plurality
of lenses 914. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the
locating structures 1013 can comprise protrusions such as elongate
pegs. In some embodiments, the locating structures 1013 can be
recesses, or a combination or protrusions and recesses. As shown,
the overall shape or periphery of the respective attachment portion
1010a, 1010b, 1010c need not conform with the overall shape or
periphery of the component access region 902; rather, one or more
points or regions of contact can be utilized to secure the
respective attachment portion 1010a, 1010b, 1010c to a point or
region of the component access region 902, such as in one or more
corners of the component access region 902.
In some embodiments, a case 900 may have an alignment portion 904
on an edge or face of the case 900, such as a groove, channel,
ridge, rail, recess, or protrusion. Accessories may use the
alignment portion 904 to aid in alignment with a component access
region 902 or with some other component or region of the case 900
and/or mobile device 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the
alignment portion 904 may be a groove located on an edge of the
case 900 near a component access region 902. An auxiliary lens
system 1010a may include a connection structure 1018a configured to
interface with the alignment portion 904 (e.g., the connection
structure 1018a may be sized and/or shaped to be complementary to a
size and/or shape of the alignment portion 904). When the auxiliary
lens system 1010a is attached to the case 900, the connection
structure 1018a can be inserted into or otherwise contact the
alignment portion 904 and aid in ensuring proper alignment of a
lens 914 of the auxiliary lens system 1010a with an onboard camera
of the mobile device 100. For example, the alignment portion 904
may inhibit or prevent lateral movement of the connection structure
1018a that would otherwise cause a misalignment of the optical axes
of the lens 914 and onboard camera 102. In some embodiments, the
auxiliary lens system 1010a may be attached to the case 900 via the
alignment portion 904 such that auxiliary lens system 1010a is
securely coupled to the case due to a friction fit, interference
fit, snap fit, or some other connection of the connection structure
1018a with the alignment portion 904 that resists inadvertent
movement or detachment of the auxiliary lens system 1010a.
As with all embodiments in this specification, any structure,
material, function, method, or step that is illustrated or
described anywhere else in this specification can be used instead
of or in addition to those illustrated or described in connection
with FIG. 11. For example, any of the plurality of contacts
described to register or secure the auxiliary lens system 1000 of
FIG. 10 to the case 900 can be used to register or secure the
respective auxiliary lens system 1010a, 1010b, 1010c to the case
900.
FIG. 12 illustrates additional examples of auxiliary lens systems
1010d, 1010e. As shown, in some embodiments, the locating
structures 1013a can be elongate in shape along an edge or along a
side of the component access region 902. One or more of the
locating structures 1013a can be shaped as tabs that are configured
to extend into the component access region 902. The tabs can
comprise one or more hooks or other securing structure that are
configured to contact an interior face or side of the case 900 to
help secure the tabs and the auxiliary lens systems to the case
900. In some embodiments, an auxiliary lens system, 1010e can
comprise a plurality of lenses 914 with any of the structures or
features or capabilities of any of the other lenses disclosed
elsewhere in this specification. In some embodiments, as shown, a
plurality of tabs can be positioned and/or oriented so as to be
generally orthogonal or non-parallel with each other so as to help
independently resist motion in one or more generally orthogonal or
non-parallel directions. The structure, configuration, and/or
orientation of the locating structures 1013a in FIG. 12 can be used
with any embodiment in this specification, as with all other
structures, materials, functions, methods, or steps that are
illustrated or described in this specification.
FIG. 13 illustrates additional examples of auxiliary lens systems
1010f, 1010g that can include any or all of the structures of FIG.
12, as with all embodiments in this specification. As illustrated,
the locating structures 1013b of the auxiliary lens systems 1010f,
1010g of FIG. 13 do not include hooks or other securing structure
as with the locating structures 1013a of FIG. 12. In some
embodiments, the locating structures 1013b can be configured to
retain the auxiliary lens systems 1010f, 1010g by way of a friction
fit between one or more edges or sides of one or more locating
structures 1013b and one or more edges or sides of the component
access region 902. In some embodiments, an auxiliary lens system
can comprise one or more different types of locating structures in
the same auxiliary lens system, such as one or more elongate,
narrow locating structures 1013, one or more generally planar tabs
1013b, and/or one or more tabs 1013a with hooked or other securing
portions. Any auxiliary lens system disclosed in this specification
can be secured to or register on multiple points or regions of a
case such as on those points or regions described in connection
with FIG. 10.
As with all embodiments in this specification, any structure,
material, function, method, or step that is illustrated or
described anywhere else in this specification can be used instead
of or in addition to those illustrated or described in connection
with FIGS. 12 and/or 13.
All embodiments in this specification may be manufactured and/or
assembled according to certain methods. For example, a method of
manufacturing an auxiliary optical system may include providing at
least one optical component and providing a retainer configured to
removably attach to a protective case, wherein the at least one
optical component is attached or attachable to the retainer, and
wherein an interior protrusion of the retainer is configured to be
positioned within an interior of an opening in the protective case
when the retainer is attached to the protective case.
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